ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has expressed his desire to return to the national team’s coaching setup, saying he is ready to serve the country during a difficult period.
“This is the best time for me to take charge of the Pakistan team as coach,” Mushtaq said on the BBC’s Stumped podcast.
Mushtaq, a member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning squad, currently serves as Bangladesh’s spin-bowling coach. He said he would be willing to work with Pakistan again if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could provide a stable environment for coaches.
However, Mushtaq said he was concerned about the lack of respect and job security faced by coaches working with the national team.
“Sometimes you get scared working for your own country when people don’t respect you and you are sacked because of emotional decisions,” he said. “I believe every former Pakistani cricketer with coaching experience should get the chance to serve Pakistan.”
He added that he would “love to do that for my country, especially at this time,” but said frequent coaching changes could discourage former players from taking up national team roles.
“When you see people getting sacked during a tour, you get worried and scared,” Mushtaq said, stressing that stability and respect were essential for coaches to perform effectively.
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His comments come amid a turbulent period for Pakistan cricket. The PCB recently dismissed two members of the coaching staff and sent seven players home midway through the West Indies series following disciplinary concerns.
The latest developments have intensified scrutiny over team management and discipline, while Mushtaq’s remarks have reopened the debate over stability within Pakistan’s coaching setup.
